Ask the Expert: Injections Video Series
How Long Does It Take for an Injection to Start Working?
In this episode of our Ask the Expert: Injections video series, Dr. Catherine Choi, interventional spine specialist at Summit Orthopedics, explains what patients can expect when it comes to the timing and effects of different spinal injections.
Meet Dr. Catherine Choi
Dr. Catherine Choi, D.O. is a spine specialist at Summit Orthopedics dedicated to helping patients find relief and restore movement through personalized, evidence-based care.
Her approach:
“My philosophy in treating my patients is to provide personalized spine education, review comprehensive treatment options, and work together in determining the best path for you.”
Education and training:
Dr. Choi earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign–Urbana and received her medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. She remained in Chicago for advanced medical training, completing an Internal Medicine internship at West Suburban Hospital and a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residency at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital. She later completed an Interventional Pain Management Fellowship at the University of Chicago’s Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care.
Summit Orthopedics Offers Comprehensive Spine Expertise
At Summit Orthopedics, our spine specialists diagnose back and neck conditions and develop custom treatment plans tailored to each patient. We take a conservative, nonsurgical approach whenever possible. Most patients find relief through treatments such as guided injections, specialized physical therapy, biofeedback, exercise, activity modification, and medication.
When conservative care isn’t enough, our highly skilled surgeons provide proven, evidence-based surgical options. Together, we’ll help you find the right path to relief and recovery.
Start your journey to a healthy spine.
Find your spine expert, request an appointment, or call (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
Summit Orthopedics has convenient locations across the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area and western Wisconsin, with comprehensive spine centers in Eagan, Eden Prairie, Lakeville, Plymouth, Vadnais Heights, and Woodbury, plus additional community clinics throughout the region.
Video Transcript: Dr. Choi Explains Injection Timing
For therapeutic injections, results typically develop over a couple of days. If we use radiofrequency or heat-based procedures, patients might start noticing benefits after a few weeks as healing continues.”
“We typically tell patients that the injection will start working within two to three days. That’s because the steroid itself takes about that long to activate.
Some patients feel immediate relief — usually from the local anesthetic used during the procedure — but that effect wears off within four to six hours. After that, I tell patients to expect their usual pain to return for a day or two before improvement begins.
Relief can last anywhere from a few months to several years, and sometimes even longer.
In cases where we’re performing a diagnostic injection, results can appear almost immediately, depending on the type of medication used and the structures being targeted. These diagnostic effects wear off quickly by design, so we can evaluate the source of your pain.
